F 137 
.S52 
Copy 1 



Craven's Choyce 



BY EDWARD S. SHARPE, M. D. 



PRESIDENT 



PAPER READ BEFORE THE SALEM COUNTY 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON JUNE 9th 1908 



?^ 



Craven's Choyce 



■^ 



BY EDWARD S. SHARPF, M. D. 

PRESIDENT 



PAPER READ BEFORE THE SALEM COUNTY 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON JUNE 9th 1908 






oifi 



^■^ Society 



Kt 



"CRAVEN'S CHOYCE" 



By gifts or primary grants from Roy- 
alty, the Continent of America i e:— North 
America, as far as it was known, was 
originally divided amongst great pro- 
prietors, individual and corporate, who 
proceeded to populate them with settlers, 
usually of the lower orders, who came as 
laborers, and only in exceptional cases 
as tenants. 

Accustomed as they were to feudal 
conditions, the first immigrants were 
still dominated by them, and had no 
more expectations of owning property 
themselves in fee, than they had before 
leaving their native shores, and estab- 
lishing themselves permanently in the 
new world. 

In New Jersey, however, other senti- 
ments prevailed. The Colonists there 
looked forward to emancipation from 
this partial servitude, and to the estab- 
li>:1inieiit of commonweaKhs. where cer- 
tain liberties could be enjoyed, i e: — the 
exercise of unrestrictd thought, together 
with religious freedom, which, inconsist- 
ent with the arbitrary government thev 
had escaped, gradually broke down the 
civil and social barriers inherited througJi 
centuries of monarchial rule, finally re- 
sulting in the great revolution, which se- 
cured the independence the general 
wealth and power of the inhabitants de- 
manded, and ultimately gained, by the 
united efforts of their indomitable cour- 
age, during the long and sanguinary con- 
flict from which it was evolved. 

More than a century of republican or 
democratic government, since that not- 
able triumph, has swept away all oppo- 
sition to political suffi'age, and proprie- 
torship in the soil, has become the uni- 



versal e?onomic law, underlying the 
foundation of the State. 

But, more than two centuries ago, a re- 
action had commenced in this regard, es 
pecially in Nova Caesarea, inaugurated 
by a regulation of the Proprietors, by 
which every male settler coming to the 
Province as a servant, at the expiration 
of his time, was entitled to one hundred 
acres of land, generaly known as "head 
lands" contained in surveys of suitable 
size and divisions, intended for that par- 
ticular purpose. Previous to this con- 
cession, they received only "a set of 
agricultural implements, necessary ar- 
ticles of apparel, and ten bushels of 
corn." 

Many of these young men, (as stated 
bp several historical writers), who emi- 
grated as servants, and whose names 
were not even inscribed on the passen- 
ger lists of the vessels in which they 
embarked, (numbers being substituted a.s 
more convenient) had considerable natur- 
al ability and some education, becoming 
in time conspicuous members of the 
community, while their masters as they 
termed those for whom they worked 
and with whom they lived and served 
their times, have, with their descendants, 
long since been forgotten. 

As an example, Joseph Tomlinson, 
sent to America by Anthony Sharpe, of 
Dublin, and who in a letter written in 
1691, addresses him as "Most respected 
Master," through his daughter, Eliza- 
beth, who married Bartholomew Wyatt. 
Jr., became the grandfather of Sarah 
Wj'att. who married Richard Wistar, of 
Philadelphia, and tlius was great-great- 
Si-andfather of their son. Doctor Casper 



Wistar, of that City, a graduate, and 
afterward Professor of Anatomy, in the 
University of Pennsylvania, one of the 
most distinguished physicians that in- 
stitution has ever produced, and whose 
name will not be forgotten, while the 
"Wistar Parties," originated by him, 
shall continue to be observed and hon- 
ored, and hospitality and social enter- 
tainment distinguish Quaker City life. 

To illustrate the custom then in vogue, 
regarding indentured servants, I include 
the following, viz:— 

(Redemtiouist Indenture) 
( L. S.) 

"This Indenture made the ninth day of 
March, in the year of our Lord, one 
thousand, seven hundreJ and twenty- 
seven, between Samuel Moor of the one 
part and Alexader McDonall, weaver, ot 
the other part— Witnesseth that the said 
Alexander McDonall, doth hereby coven- 
ant, premise and grant to and with the 
said Samuel Moor, his executors, ad- 
ministrators and assigns, from the day 
and date hereof, until the first and next 
arrival at Pennsylvania or New Yor 
and after, for and during the term of 
five years to serve in such service and 
employment as the said Samuel Moor or 
his assigns shall there employ him ac- 
cording to the custom of the country in 
the like kind. In consideration whereof 
the said Samuel Moor doth hereby coven- 
ant and grant to and with the said 
Alexander McDonall to pay for his pas- 
sage and to find and allow meat, drink, 
apparel, and lodging, and other neces- 
saries, during the said term; and at the 
end of said term to pay unto him the 
usual allowance according to the custom 
of tlie country in the like kind. In wit- 
ness whereof the Parties above mention- 
ed to these indentures have interchange- 
bly set their hands and seals, the ' day 
and year first aboce mentioned." 
his 
Alexander (x) McDonall 
mark 



"Sealed, signed and delivered in the 
presence of Nath Whitwell, Lord Mayor 
of Dublin." 

"The within servant arrived at New 
York in the ship "George and John," 
June 17, 172S." 

"Endorsed" 

August ye 3d, 1728. 

"There came before me the within men- 
tioned Alexander Donall and acknowl- 
edged that he was willing to serve 
Thomas Horns, of Middleton, according 
to the tenor of this Indenture." 

"John Throckmorton." 

The above is an assignment of Mc- 
Donall to another employer after his ar- 
rival in America; legally transacted with 
his consent, a not uncommon practice, 
done, for a consideration to a consider- 
able extent, if not conducted as a regu- 
lar business. The price of the passage 
across the Atlantic in 16S6. for a man 
and wife, was £11.0.0 about $55.00. 

The reference made to giants, by Roy- 
al munificence, of large territorial do- 
mains in America, to favorites and cour- 
tiers, finds an apt illustration in Nev,- 
Jersey, when. Marcli 12. lG(i3-4. the Duke 
of York, afterward James II, of England, 
received from his brotlier. Charles II, 
the King, what was known then as New 
Netherland. extending from St. Croix to 
the Delaware, and who about the same 
date. June 23-24, 1664, granted that por- 
tion of it called Nova Caesarea or New 
Jersey, in totality, together with "full 
powers of govcinment." to Sir George 
Cartaret and Lord John Berkely, who, 
from loyalty to the cause of the Stuarts, 
before and uring the Protectorate of 
Cromwell, had claims upon the Crown, 
which were liberally recognized, upon the 
Restoration in 1660. Cartaret retained 
possession of his moiety, after the sub- 
sequpnt division, by qumtipartite deed in 
1676, but Berkely, (being advanced in 
years and loosing interest, and hope of 
future emolument from his province) 
had in the meantime, viz:— in 1673. sold 



to John Fenwick. his share, for one 
thousaiul pounds Stirling. 

By a singular coincidence, not how- 
ever unusual, in those epochs, (momeu- 
tous and benificent) in the affairs of 
men, when history is made, just at this 
time, George Fox returned to England, 
from his noted missionary tour through 
the American Colonies, bringing the 
"glad tidings" of religious freedom, and 
his report of the climate and govern- 
ments there, had a potent iuflueuce on 
the sale of lands then offered to pur- 
chasers in London and elsewhere, as well 
as, in the exodus from their insular 
homes, that followed, in due course of 
time, to the great continent beyond the 
sea. 

As the Fenwick-Byllinge movement 
was comijosed largely of Friends, it is 
not singular that the most eminent pros- 
elyte then living— William Ponn— shoulJ 
become connected with it in various 
ways; first, as a mediator between Fen- 
wick and Byllinge, in the dispute as to 
theii respective shares of the purchase, 
which, together with a lack of funds, 
had, for some two years, retarded the 
enterprise; subsequently, as one of the 
trustees for the creditors of Byllinge, 
and finally, as Proprietor of Fenwick's 
Tenth, becoming thus, still more closely 
identifed with West Jersey, as well as 
with the topography and natural re- 
sources of the Delaware Littoral, de- 
stined to become the site of the City of 
Brotherly Love. 

It would .je interesting, were it possi- 
ble, to know just when William Penn 
first conceived the idea of colonizing the 
Province, which afterward bore his 
name. His father. Admiral Penn, died 
in 1670. Two years afterward, about ten 
years before his first voyage to America, 
he married Guliclma Maria Springett. 
When tlie Admiral died, the Crown was 
indebted to him £16000, which he be- 
queathed to his son, together with a'n |j 
anniiitv of £1500. The claim against the 



Government was settled in 1681, by the 
grant of what is now Pennsylvania, and 
shortly after, the founder sailed in the 
"Welcome." for his new possession. 

It appears to have been about this 
time, that his mind was contemplating 
seriously his grand scheme, as, prior to 
October 1681, we find him engaged in col- 
laborating (with the illustrious and un- 
fortunate Algernon Sidney) certain con- 
stitutions at his home. I quote part ot 
a letter germane to this subject, written 
by him at this time, viz:— "This made 
me remember the discourse we had to- 
gether at my house about me drawin.g 
constitutions, not as proposals, but as iC 
to the hand." also "upon this thou didst 
draw a draft, as to the form of govern- 
ment, gave it to me to read, and we dis- 
coursed it with considerable argument." 
The constitution, referred to above, was 
published in London in 1682. 

The Sylvan Province that bears the 
patronymic of the great statesman, legis- 
lator and philanthropist indellibly stamp- 
ed on its history, is recognized by all, 
but the mind insensibly adverts toward 
the itinerant shoemaker apprentice of 
Drayton, to the Quaker Colporteur oii 
liis lonely journey through the wilds of 
America; we listen to the thrilling story 
of his wanderings, and cannot but trace 
to that earnest and intrepid man, that 
champion of the untrammeled conscience, 
that protagonist of a faith and creed 
which now, after the lapse of more than 
two centuries and a half, remains virile 
and true, the fons et origo, the source 
and origin of those occult forces, moral 
and phy.sical. which culminated in the 
founding of the imperial state (imperium 
in imperio)— of Pennsylvania, with its 
opulent metropolis, situate on the very 
bluff on the bank of the eDlaware, which, 
the passengers on the ship "Shields from 
Hull," sailing up the stream to Bridling- 
ton, saw December 10, 1677, and exclaimeo" 
"a fine spot for a town." 



"God moves in a mysterious way 

His wonders to perform." 

I have alluded to the delay in the de- 
parture of Fenwick and his colonists, 
from the date of the purchase in 167:J 
until the summer of 1675 and stated that 
it was due to two causes— the contention 
as to the shares of the Province between 
him and Byllinge and tlie poverty of the 
promoters of tlie movement, tlie latter 
being the greater of the impediments as, 
although many sales of tracts to those 
interested, were made fat however ridic- 
ulously low prices) the leader was un- 
able to get away, nor would he hav- 
been for an indefinite period, had it not 
been for two men who had some money 
they were willing to loan, on the se- 
curity of his lauded interest in New 
Jersey; the menus plaisirs. i e: — the privy 
purse of Fenwick, like that of many 
another bold adventurer, being at that 
time in a state of collapse. 

These men, whose ■'flltliy lucre" over 
came the present difficulty were, Jolm 
Eldridge and Edmund Warner, and this 
loan on mortgage must have been in the 
nature of a sale, for, as soon as the 
legal documents were executed, they 
also began to sell to lire eager pur- 
i:Iia.=ers, thirsting ffir cliange.— "Cupidus 
novarum rerum," lots and iracts of land 
of any size and in any location desired. 

These sales became a source of great 
dissatisfaction in many cases— one ot 
wliich is included in tliis paper — and 
sliows hnw Fenwick iesent(>d, what he 
deemed an intrusion into liis affairs by 
his quondam benefactors, and which ul- 
timately caused the discharge of his Sur- 
veyor General— Richard Hancock. 

I'^'enwick seems to have had ai5 exag- 
gerated notion of the subject of his own 
importance, his assumption of the title 
of "Lord Proprietor," and liis oath of 
allegiance, to whicli most of the early 
colonists subscribed, were certain to get 
him into trouble. Sir Edmund Andross 
testified in London, lliat ho rlaimed more 



autliority in the Province, "than was be- 
longing to any subject," and his dis- 
sessions linally compelled the sale, of all 
his tenth, except one hundreu and fifty 
thousand acres, to William Penu. 

Many of the original sales of land, and 
warrants of surveys, were made to and 
for pui'cliasers living in certain parts of 
the City of London, viz— Shadwell, Lyme- 
liouse in the Parisli of Stepney, White 
Chappie, county of IMiddlesex, and Steb- 
onheatli, where James Nevill lived and 
carried on liis business of a weaver. He 
was attorney for widow Elizabeth Smitli, 
of White Chappie, for land on Mon- 
mouth River — Fenwick's Colony in 167S, 
viz— "1678, June 21st, Warrent of Survey 
to James Nevill, of Stebonheath, alias 
Stepney, county of Middlesex, weaver, as 
attorney for widow BlizalDeth Smith, of 
White Chappie, same county, for 500 
acres in Alloways Allotment or as near 
as may be on tlie -N. E. side of Mon- 
mouth River." (Salem Surveys No. 2.) 

The above land was sold to the widow 
Elizabeth Smith or Smythe. by Fenwick. 
May 5. 1673, before he sailed from Eng- 
land, viz:— "1675 Fenwick to Elizabeth 
Smith of the Parish of St. Mary White 
Capplc, county of Middlesex, widow, for 
:"00 acres of ffenwick's Colony." (New 
Jersej' Colonial Documents, Salem No. 1.) 
.'.nn Craven, widow of "Richard Craven, 
of Lymeliourse, county of Middlesex, 
baker, deed," who al.'=^o lived i;i the abovi' 
precinct, became infected with the con- 
tagious land fever then raging in Lon- 
don. She had been left a widow with 
three little children, viz:— .\nn Craven. 
Tliomas Craven and Peter Craven, and 
was apparently a near friend to tl^e 
willow Elizabetli Smitli. as. when she 
bought a five hundred lot of John Eld- 
ridge (both, at the date of the purchase. 
March 20th, 1676-7, being residents of 
Shadwell. London,) she stipulated tliat 
it sliould adjoin tlie widow Elizal>etli 
Smith's 5(10 acres 'as it runnetli up Mon- 
mniith River," and when Fenwic-!\ issuer! 



a warrant for the survey of a portion of 
it in 1679, we find tlie location ordered 
there, and also the name by whicB it was 
to be known — "Craven's Choice," viz:— 
"1679, September 7th, Do, same to widow 
Ann Craven, late of Lymehouse, in the 
Parish of Stepney, county of Middlesex, 
England, now of New Salem, N. J., for 
"00 acres to be called "Craven's Choice," 
iu Feuwick's Colony, on the North side 
of and along Alloways Creek, adjoining 
Smythe's alias Nevill's Plantation. ' 
(West Jersey Colonial Documents, Salem 
Deeds, Libere B.) 

By this deed we know, that the Widow 
Craven had before the autumn of 1679, 
safely crossed the ocean, and in imagi- 
nation can see this brave woman, sur- 
lounded by her little brood, standing on 
the deck of the vessel as ft ascended 
Salem Creek, absorbed in the surround- 
ing prospect, her heart elate with grati- 
tude and hope. 

How long she had been a resident of 
the Colony we do not surely know, but 
she had bought a lot of ten acres in New 
Salem, exactly two years before, and 
probably had then located there, viz: 
"1677, September 7th, Do Do. For a sur- 
vey of 10 acres in New Salem Township 
for widow Ann Craven." ("Warrent for 
Samuel Hedge to survey. New Jersey 
Colonial Documents, Salem Surveys N. 
2.) 

But a more valid reason for the sur- 
mise that the widow had been for a con- 
siderable period established t'nere, is the 
fact, that about this date, i e:— "January, 
nth mouth 1679-SO," she had not only 
made another choice, (to which, however, 
she did not give, but rather surrendered 
her name) but also had made a marriage 
settlement upon the object thereof- - 
Charles Bagley, viz:— "167S-80 



nth m 1 Jan.) Marriage settlement, 
widow Ann Craven (as before) with her 
husband-to-be, Charles Bagaly, late o? 
Clirp'anke. Talbott county. Maryland, by 
v/hich she gives him the forgoing .JOC 



acres, subject to payments to her chil- 
dren, Ann Craven, Thomas Craven and 
Peter Craven." (Salem Deeds Liber B.) 

We infer from the reference to his 
former abode, that Bagley was a com- 
paratively recent arrival in the Salem 
Tenth, possibly subsequently to that of 
his intended wife. He seems to have 
been a pushing individual, impeded by 
neither diffidence nor illiteracy, the mak- 
ing of his mark instead of signing his 
name, showing that he was not em- 
barrassed by that "dangerous thing" the 
poet has called "a little knowledge." 

There is an apparent mercenary mo- 
tive, on the part of Bagaley in the above 
transaction, that savors more of modern 
ethics, than those of over two centuries 
ago, which offends the moral sense; the 
trifling guerdon or rather dot bestowed 
by the prospective bride, augmenting the 
unpleasing thought. 

The marriage, (which was preceded by 
an antinuptial contract for the protec- 
tion of the three children and which was 
considered worthy of publication in the 
New Jersey archives, as an illusti-atioii 
of the laws then in force, for that pur- 
pose.) must have been speedily solem- 
nized, as, about this time we find the 
t'oliowing abstract, viz: — 

"1680. September 13th. Minutes of a 
:-peciaI Court, James Nevill, Wm. Pen- 
ton, Richard Guy, Edwd Bradway, 
Edw'd Wade, commis rs "Order grantin;; 
to Charles Baggily a warrant to Richard 
Hancock for tlie survey of 200 acres nf 
land, part of the 5uO acres, which h?s 
wife in her widowhood had fiom John 
Eldridge and Edmond Warner." (Salem 
Surveys No. 2.) "1680, September 16th. 
Do Do. By order of Court (supra P 14i 
to Charles Bagley, of 200 acres, ou the 
North branch of Alloways Creek." 
(Salem Surveys No. 2.) 

A few years after the above acquisi- 
tion. Bagley sold a part of it. which is 
of interest, as it shows that his first 
wife, the former widow Ann Craven, 



was. at that date, still alive, viz:— "1683, 
June 22d, Deed. Charles Bagley, of AUo- 
ways Creek, N. J., tanner, to Henry 
Jennings, of the same place, tailor and 
wife, Margrett, for 3 acres there, E. 
grantee, S. AUoways Creek, part of the 
500 a lot, bought by Ann Craven, then 
of Shadwell, widow, now wife of gran- 
tor, of John Eldridge. of Shadwell, March 
20. 1676-7." (Salem Deeds No. 2.) 

But in 1688, April 30, the above pur- 
chase, or another of tlie same size, Is 
conveyed to Henry Jennings, by deed ot 
Charles Bagley, alone, wife's nam^ omit- 
ted, from which we infer she was then 
nead, viz:— "1688, April 31st. Do. Charles 
Bagley, of Cesaria River, N. J., planter, 
to Henry Jennings, of Monmouth River, 
N. J., tailor and wife, Margrett, for 3 
acres on said river, adjoining grantor, 
(Salem Deeds No. 4) and about the same- 
date he sells also without co-operation 
of wife, what appears to have been, the 
original 300 acres, Ann Craven bought 
of Eldridge and Warner in 1675, and 
which she named "Craven's Choice," viz: 
-"1688, May 1st. Charles Bagley, of West 
Jersey, planter, to John Smith, of Grun- 
dell Hill or Monmouth River, Salem 
county, planter, for 300 acres on said 
river, along the East side of Jamco 
Nevill." (Salem De.ls No. 4.) 

The preceding deeds, besides their in- 
timation of the death of the original 
owner of "Craven's Choice," tell us that 
Charles Bagley had changed his resi- 
dence from Alloways Creek to Caesaria 
River, and his occupation of a tanner to 
that of planter, also that in 1688, some 
five years after his arrival in Fenwick's 
Colony. John Smith, afterward of Hed- 
gefieid, still lived at Grundell Hill, on 
the northern bank of Alloways Creek, 
and had not then purchased the estate in 
Maniiington. with which his name wa.s 
afterwai'd associated, and wliere he lived 
for many years before his death. Indeed 
the latter transaction was not sonsum- 
mated, until eight years later, viz: 



"1696, September Sth. Deed. Samuel 
Hedge, of Salem Town, gentleman, and 
wife, Ann, to John Smith, late of Grun- 
dell Hill, on Alloways Creek, Salem 
county, yeoman, for 1160 acres, the now 
remaining part of Hedgefield and tract 
of 200O acres, on Manneton Creek, be- 
queathed to grantors by John Fenwick." 
(Salem Deeds No. 6.) 

But on the same date of the first deed 
to John Smith, i e:— May 1st, 168S, we 
find another from Bagley to him, for 
503 acres, excepting half a acre, viz:— 
"Charles Bagley to John Smith, of Grun- 
dell Hil 1, Monmouth River, alias Allo- 
ways Creek. 50O acres in Alloways 
Creek adjoining James Newell's 500 acres. 
Witnessed by James Nevill and George 
Deacon. Endorsement on back "Except- 
ing Vz acre sold to Edward Champneys 
and Roger Milton." This is signed by 
both Bagley (his mark) and John Sm'.th 
and is witnessed by William Hall and 
Samuel Hedge." 

Although we are ignorant of the date 
of the demise of Charles Bagley' s first 
wife, as well as that of his second mar- 
riage, we known from the following? 
deed, that the latter event occurred bo- 
ore 1687, and that the christian name o 
his wife, was Elizabeth, vix:— "1686-7, 
March 10th. Do. Charles Bagley (wife 
Elizabeth) to William Daniel, both of 
Chohansey. Salem Tenth, yeomen, for 4 
acres near the line of the Township of 
Greenwich, part of the 100 acre lot bouglit 
r.f ."o'n .mams." (Srlem Deeds No. 7.) 

Bagley died in the year 1699, leaving .i 
widow, Elizabeth, and three minor chil- 
dren. Jean, Sarah and Charles. He was 
a Friend (and although as we have 
stated, destitute of the rudiments of a 
common school education,) active in im- 
portant transactions in the Colony, as 
well as in the affairs of the religious 
sect to which he belonged. In 16S0, March 
25th, he, with m?ny others, signed "The 
concessions ard agreements of the pro- 
prietors, freeholders and inhabitants of 



the Province of West New Jersey in 
America" and "16S1, seventh month 
(July) 5th, "Charles Bagley together 
with George Deacon and John Forrest 
were requested"—" to go to John Fen- 
wick and let him know that Friends 
have taken notice of his careless walking 
in respect to truth and let Friends know 
whether he hath a desire to walk mori' 
circumspectly for time to come." This 
proceeding appears to confirm the belief, 
tlvat the Proprietor, at that period w 
somewhat indifferent regarding religious 
matters. 

Charles Bagley passed the latter part 
of his life at "Chohansey." liaving re- 
sided there several years preceding the 
close of Ills active life, as we know he 
bought land there in the year 1687 his 
ir.terest in the religious affairs of Friends 
remaining unabated during his latter 
years, as indicated by the following deed. 
vix:— "1693. December 25th. Joseph 
Brown, of the Town of Greenwich, upon 
Caesaria River, alias Chohansey River, 
Salem county, yoeman. to Charles Bag- 
ley for a lot 50 feet wide on the street 
and 55 feet long, between grantor's 
dwelling house and his barn for a meet- 
ing house and grave yard of the "peopie 
in scorne called Quaiters who worshipp 
God in spirit and in truth." (Salem 
Deeds No. 6.) 

Are we to infer from the foregoing 
transaction that the Grantee was one of 
the founders of Friends IWeeting in 
Greenwich ? 

Tlie character of Bagley appears to 
have been that of a fair, honorable man. 
and lie faithfully kept his promises and 
agreements, (made however by due pro- 
cess of law) in behalf of his step chil- 
dren, after the death of their mother. 

As the following document, the latte;- 
part of which I append, showing the 
custom then in usage amongst Friends 
as regards (in case of second marraiges* 
provision being made for the support of 
children by a former marital union, re 



lates to this very case, and is probably 
the only one extant as regards Fenwick's 
Colony, it is of especial value, and ha.s 
had its influence, (together with a dec'l 
showing the dissatisfaction caused, by 
Richard Hancock's surveys for John 
Eldiidoe,) in the selection by the writer 
of the subject of this paper. 

We have quoted from the Archives, 
the antinuptual contract between the 
widow Ann Craven, of "Craveu'.s 
Choice," and Charles Bagley, late of 
Choptanke, Talbott county, i>xaryland, and 
now, in this insirumont, we have the 
transaction legally consummated which, 
when stript of the redundant verbiage of 
the legal phraseology that almost con- 
ceals it, becomes apparent to an indif- 
ferent or even an obtuse understanding, 
viz:— that in the case of the demise of 
the wife, should he survive her, after 
his death the property she has transfer- 
red to him is to go;— "Then to the use 
and belioofe of the heirs and assigns of 
hlai the said Charles Uagaley forever; 
provided that if he, the said Charles 
Bagaley, heirs exers, administrat rs, or 
assigns, shall well and truly paye or 
^atisfle, or cause to be well and truly 
payd or satisfied, in sterling money or 
goods equivalent the sum of eighteen 
pounds unto Ann Craven when she shall 
attaine to the age of sixteen years, unto 
Tlioinas Craven the sum of thirteen 
pjunds when he shall attaine to the ago 
of one and twentie years and unto Peter 
Craven the sum of thirteen pounds when 
he shall attaine to the age of one and 
twenty years or within o:ie month 
aftei- that the said three children 
of her. the said Ana Craven. Ptie 
to the presents doe attaine unto 
their generall ages aforsaid. or if two or 
any of them attaine (by being survivor) 
Unto her or his age afoisaid A.;il tha 
then the Said porc'on or por'cons be not 
then payd to them twoe or one of them 
so surviving as aforsaid That then the 
s.Tid "Craven's Choyce" ai;d three hun- 



lO 



dred acres of land, marsh and swampes 
shall be and enure to the use and behoofe 
of them the said Thomas Craven, Peter 
Craceu and Ann Craven, to be divided 
Amongst them or the Survivor or Sur- 
vivors of them and to the heirs and 
assignes of them or the Survivor of them 
for ever and not otherwise. In witness 
wliereof she the said Ann Craven hatli 
hereunto set her hand and scale the 
5th day of the eleventh mo th in the 
year by the English Acct 1679, Etc." 
Ann Craven." 

"Sealed, signed and delivered in the 
presence of Samuel Hedge, Fenwick 
Adams, Richard Tyndall." 
(Seal) 

(Liber B Salem records in office of the 
Secretary of State, at Trenton, P 18.) 

Tliis document, a literary curiosity 
from its quaint diction and obsolete 
orthography, is, to my mind of greaie, 
interest as showing what the widow 
Ann Craven, at the very time of her 
nuptials, laad most at heart — the welfare 
of her children— wliich intention being 
evidently paramount even in that aus 
picious hour. 
"Sweet hour all hail ! with envy pale 

Which Jove himself, might see. 
And own at least, the nectared feast, 

Equalled, sweet hour, by thee." 
in that hour of expectancy, when mar- 
raige bells were ringing, even then, her 
nuiternal love and solicitude could not 
be diverted from her offspring, the chil- 
dren who liad shared with her the perils 
of the sea and land, and with whom she 
now shared her little all, even treasured 
fields, which had lured her from her 
foreign home, to be reciprocated, only, by 
tlie filial affection of their innocent 
hearts. Nor do I believe tliat the haugh- 
ty Baron, when he gave a designation 
Ix'fitting i-ank and power, to his feudal 
castle or lordly hall, felt half the prid ■ 
in its title, as did this humble widow, 
when she gave to her small possession 
the name of hor proferenco— "Ci'aven's 



Choyce," neither might the viuyards of 
Naboth, nor the groves, the torrents, thij 
orchards and the brooks of Flaccus— 
"Et. praeceps Anio, ac Tiburni lucus, 

et uda 
IJobilibus pomaria rivus" 
have engendered and retained for them 
a more enduring charm. 

In following the course of proceeding 
in this case, we find that within two 
years from the change in the social con- 
dition of their mother for which we 
have shown such precaution were taken 
in behalf of the Craven children, legal 
measure were instituted, viz:— "1687, Au- 
gust 21. Craven, Thomas, Peter and Ann, 
children of Robert Craven, whose widow 
became the wife of Charles Bagley. 
Testimony before Thomas Olive, Robert 
Stacye, Mahlon Stacye, Thomas Budd 
and Thomas Lambert, Commissioners ^ov 
the Province of New Jersey, given by 
George Deacon, Richard Guy and John 
Smith in regard to payments to be made 
to the three childi-en Craven by Charles 
Bagley, according to an instrument of 
51h day, 11th month 1679." 

The above abstract, together witn 
other circumstances recorded in the Ar- 
chives, awaken a suspicion that Charles 
Bagley was somewhat remiss or tardy 
hi conforming with the provisions of the 
antinuptial contract, the Executors of 
John Fenwick, a few years later, de- 
manding an acounting of his proceedings 
in this important matter, viz: — "16S7 
April 12. Wm. Penn, etal. executors of 
John Fenwick to Charles Bagely dC 
Caesaria River, N. J., for account of the 
estate of Richard Craven, of Lymehouse 
county, of Middlesex, baker, deed., for 
500 acres, 300 of wh'ch, near the head of 
Monmouth River, alias Alloways Creek, 
af joining Wdow Smith and James Ne- 
v:ll; 200 acres on the North branch of 
paid creek" (Salem Deeds No. 4) and as 
an apparent result, three days after- 
ward, the following deed was executed, 
v=z:— "ir87, .'■ pril 15. Deed. Charles Bag- 



ly. of Caesaria River, N. J., planter, to 
his son-in-law (step-son) Thomas Craven 
of the same place, plauter, for 200 acres, 
near the head of Alloways Creek, ad- 
joiniug John Smith, of Gruiidell Hill," 
(Salem Deeds No. 4) also ten years later, 
about eighteen months before his death, 
Charles Bagley and wife, Elizabefii, 
made the following undefined assignment 
to Peter Craven, viz:— "1697, Oct. 18th 
assignment by Charles Bag- 
ley and wife, Elizabeth, to Peter Craven, 
of Salem county, husbandman of the 
within tract of land." (Salem Deeds No. 
G.) 

No payments nor provision of any kind 
—for little Ann Craven— are recorded, we 
must therefore conclude, that she died 
before she reached the age of sixteen 
> ears, when the payment of the eighteen 
pounds, named in the previously quoted 
contract, became due. 

The Ann Craven, who married Ben- 
jamin Ruge, of Salem, March 30th, 1731. 
was probably a daughter of Thomas 
Craven, (son of the widow Ann Craven), 
who died in the year 1721. Beside this 
daughter Ann, he also left a son Na- 
hamiah "under age." We cannot, how- 
ever, trace the male line of the Cravens 
and have reason for the surmise, that 
some bearing the surname belonged to 
another family, as, we know, for moi.' 
than a century they were prominent citi- 
zens, in the public affairs of the counts 
of Salem. 

I quote from a paper written by 
Thomas Shoui-ds, and read before th;s 
Society January 27, 1SS6, entitled, "Our 
Early Settlers," viz:— "In 1676 the wife of 
of John Smith, of Amesbury, wrote +0 
her sister, Rachel, and her husband, 
Richard Craven, giving them a descrip- 
tion of this country and advising them 
to come to America, which they accord- 
ingly did and landed at New Castle in 
1690 and came to Salem tlie same year. 
One of their sons settled in the State of 
Delaware. One of their granddaughters 



(Rachel Craven) married Joseph, son of 
Richard and Mary Pledger Woodnutt; 
they had one son and three daughers, 
Hannah, one of their daughters, married 
Samuel Hedge the 4th." 

If this is correct we are right in our 
conjecture; but at the date Thomas 
Craven's will was made— September 13th, 
1721— and proved December 23d, 1730, we 
know three daughters were then living — 
Elizabeth, Rachell and Ann, and, it is 
not impossible that his daughter, Rach- 
el, might have married Joseph Wood- 
nutt. 

In the list of letters remaining in the 
Philadelphia Post Office, published u 
1763 in one directed to "John Craven 
Salem, and in 1S12, Richard Craven was 
one of the freeholders from Lower Allo- 
ways Creek, also in 1S2S and 1&29 a Rich- 
ard Craven was a freeholder from Lower 
Penn's Neck, and doubtless gave his 
name,— "Craven's Ferry"— about that 
time, to the town now known as Peuns- 
ville. 

The fact that Charles Bagley appoint- 
ed Thomas Craven, (together with his 
wife, Elizabeth,) one of the executors of 
his will, would indicate a kindly feelius. 
as well as confidence on the part of tlu 
former toward the latter, which, how- 
ever, apparently was not mutual, as 
Thomas declined the honor, or to use 
the exact words" refusing to act." 

Although, the widow Ann Craven de- 
sired expressly, that her purchase iu 
Fenwick's Colony.— "Craven's Choyce." 
sl.ould adjoin that of the widow Eliza- 
beth Smitli, thus indicating a desire and 
intention of living near each other there, 
the two widows did not come to Amer- 
ica simultaneously. Several years elaps- 
ing before the latter arrived, long after 
her former friend and neiglilijr had 
passed away; as, three years after Ann 
Craven had married Cliarles Bagley the 
widow Smith was still residing in Lon- 
don, as show- by the following deed, 
viz:— "1683. June 14th. Deed. Widow 



Elizabeth Smith, of Parish of St. Mary 
Mat fellon, alias White Chappie, county 
of Middlesex, to Benjamin East, of Loti- 
ilon, sugar baker, for 300 acres on Mon- 
mouth River, alias Alloways Creek, 
about 5 miles from Salem Town, part 
of a 500 a lot, granted to her, by John 
Fenwick, May 5th, 1675." (Salem Deeds 
No. 3.) 

The next we hear of her is thirteen 
yeais later in 1696, when she is in Salem 
county, as indicated by another deed 
viz:-"169G. July 31st. Deed. Charles 
Angelo, of Salem Town, husbandman, lo 
widow Elizabeth Smith, late of Cristiana 
Creek, Pennas, now of Salem county, 
for her life, and after her death, to Pru- 
dence, wife of Thomas Killiugsworth, of 
said Town, gentleman, for a house and 
ten acres of land in said town, between 
John Paine and the creek, excepting a 
lot in the town marsh bought of Robert 
Coffln. May 27th, 1693." (Salem Deeds 
No. 6.) 

Tlie Widow Smith made her will two 
years later— September 28, 169S— and prob- 
ably died soon after, although the in- 
ventory of her iK>rsonal estate, which in 
eluded ••3 gold rings, 1 wedding ring, ? 
samll £2; made by Thomas Killings- 
worth and Samuel Hedge, and not ap- 
praised until December 8th, 1701, mor? 
than three years later. We do not know 
her maiden name, but Prudence Killings 
worth, wife of Tl.omas, was hgr sister, 
and her "daughter. Prudence, wife of 
John Vance Millwright" was "sole ex 
ecutrix." 

Thomas Killingsworth, Rev. and Hoii. 
a veiy prominent and influential man in 
the Colony, died in the year 1705. "Wif<- 
Prudence sole heiress and execurtix." 
His personal estate amounted to "£297. 
10.0. inclu. books £10, a clock £8, negro 
girl £25." His w=fe. Prudence, survived 
him four years, dying in 1709. "Inven- 
tory of personal estate (£299.2.0 includ- 
ing plate £1."^, a ff V old books £2, 3 
gold rings £3, coined gold and silver £13 



a negro girl £25.)" We see from thrt 
above inventory, that the personal es- 
tate, had increased in the four years in- 
tervening between the deaths of herself 
and husband. £2.2.0 "Prudence Vance 
sole execurtix and with Joanna Mac- 
Kgregoiy heiress of the estate." 

The foregoing data, relating to the 
Widow Smith, the Killingsworths, the 
Vances, and MacKgregorys, probably 
all connected by blood or marriage, 
shows how sometimes, whole families 
emigrated and settled near each other in 
the' Province, and the desire expressed 
by the widow Ann Craven (already sev- 
eral times referred to) to have her pur- 
chase surveyed on land adjoining the 
widow Elizabeth Smith, while it might 
not imply an existing relationship, was 
the cause of considerable contention; the 
following return of survey, exhibiting. 
together with other inferences, how, in 
this particular instance, trouble followed 
the undefined locations, limits, butts and 
bounds, of properties sold to EnglisU 
purchasers, and the hapliazard manner 
in which they were conveyed, also by its 
reference to the unsatisfactory relations 
subsisting between Richard Hancock and 
John Fenwick, which resulted in the dis- 
missal of the former, followed by the 
appointment of Samuel Hedge and sub- 
sequently of Richard Tyndall as survey- 
ors General of the Colony, viz:— 

"1679, September 3d. Return of survey 
by Richard Hancock of 300 acres intende.l 
for Ann Craven, of New Salem, widow, 
deed., who refused to accept the deed 
viz t in the Township of East Fenwick 
along the East side of Smythe's planta- 
tion and Monmouth River." Marguial 
Note: "Ann Craven, widow, she was to 
l.ave it by propossall as foUoweth, wch 
I rr husbands and friends diswiaded her 
from, as appears from their deeds of set- 
tlement w ch they never sealed, nor 
would pay for but accepted of an Ar- 
bitrarie permit for 500 acres, whereby 
Rich d Hancock by his illegal warr t 



13 



well he had surveyed and was pay d 
him first as appears by his certificate." 
(West Jersey Records Liber B part 2.) 
But what have we here ? deed, the or- 
dinary abbreviation of deceased, dead 
and husbands— Polyandry ! Death and 
implied if not actual bigamy ! What as- 
persions upon the character of a live fe- 
male and reputable widow. Impossible- 
tliese unwarranted slanders may readily 
be disposed of, the former imputation 
being, under the circumstances, only the 
necrobiosis, physiological molecular dis- 
integration, the antithesis of general dis- 
solution, and conservator of life; somatic 
death, the final triumph of the grim 
tyrant, being quite incompatible with the 



impending rites of Hymen's gentle sway, 
within the Myrtle groves that shade 
Cythera's bowers where laughing Venus 
holds her Court of Love. As regards her 
former spouse, the bigamous mendacity 
falls flat, disproven and confuted, by the 
fact, that the defunct baker, had long 
been lying prone and lifeless at Lyme- 
hou&e beyond the sea, his vacant chair 
as yet unoccupied, even by the aspiring- 
suitor to the hand of liis incongruous, 
paradoxical relict, (by casual inadver- 
tence, living yet dead, a widow unre- 
leased from matrimonial bonds)— Charles 

Bagley the officious tanner from 

Choptanke. 

E. S. S. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 416 261 4 



